According to a report at CNET, Intel is in the process of launching a new fabrication facility in China. The new facility will focus on producing multi-core processors at the 65nm level. Inside sources were unable to give exact details on date and costs of the facility, but considering previous facility projects, the new plant is estimated to cost Intel roughly $2.5 billion to $3.5 billion USD. Just several years ago, a full plant would cost Intel nearly $5 billion.

Intel already has an established presence throughout China, making the new 65nm plant its third major operation in the country. Shanghai and Chengdu are two locations where Intel branches staff roughly 6,000 employees. CNET's sources indicated, however, that Intel would be making its China operation independent, thanks to the enormous market potential of China that is just second behind the U.S.

DailyTech previously reported that Intel was working on expanding its capacities in Vietnam, another hot region for tech companies. Although Intel's new plant investment will not be manufacturing actual processors, it would be contributing to such things as assembly and product testing.

Intel's Fab 32 in Arizona will be its first full facility in the U.S. in a long time and it will also be launching Fab 28 in Israel in 2008. Intel currently has over 15 products in development that will be manufactured at 45nm, but the company mentioned that until 2008 arrives, 65nm will be a key stage in processor and silicon development.

"Game reviewers fought each other to write the most glowing coverage possible for the powerhouse Sony, MS systems. Reviewers flipped coins to see who would review the Nintendo Wii. The losers got stuck with the job." -- Andy Marken